Is Gardner or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Gardner is safer than Houston (Safety Score 76/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 949 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 83% lower. Gardner has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Gardner has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 108.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Gardner — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Gardner, MA
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Gardner | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 948.9 | 5,441.7 | -4,492.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 328.8 | 1,148.3 | -819.4 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 13.8 | -13.8 |
| Rape Rate | 28.2 | 73.0 | -44.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 4.7 | 274.0 | -269.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 295.9 | 787.4 | -491.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 620.1 | 4,293.5 | -3,673.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 89.3 | 644.8 | -555.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 474.5 | 2,945.7 | -2,471.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 56.4 | 703.0 | -646.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gardner or Houston safer?
Gardner is safer with a total crime rate of 949 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 83% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Gardner has a violent crime rate of 328.8 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Gardner has lower violent crime.
About Gardner, MA
Gardner, the "Chair City," is a small city in northern Worcester County, historically renowned for its furniture industry. Its population of around 21,000 residents is predominantly white, with a median age in the early 40s. With a safety score of 76/100 and a population coverage of 21,288, Gardner has a total crime rate of 948.9 per 100,000 residents.
About Houston, TX
Houston, the "Space City," is a sprawling metropolis in Southeast Texas, home to NASA's Johnson Space Center. Its diverse population makes it one of the most multicultural cities in the U.S., with significant Hispanic and Asian communities. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 2,319,160, Houston has a total crime rate of 5,441.7 per 100,000 residents.